Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
by introducing a few new pullets, you just made it possible for a lot of lower-ranking
chickens to jockey for a better seat.
I keep new birds in a cage inside the free-range birds' coop for at least 48 hours after
they arrive at the farm. They have access to food and water in their cage, of course, but
they also have the protection of some wire between them and any pointy beaks that may
come a-knocking. This lockdown gets the locals used to the new settlers and the new
settlers used to the locals. It also keeps the newcomers inside for a few sunsets so that
they understand that the coop is the place to be when night falls.
Chick Diary
Big Honey and Bossy Tilda must have had a duel for dominance, because Honey's
comb was torn. Fortunately, that was the end of it, and we never saw any other
fights or injuries.
When you do let your new birds out among the resident flock, you can do a few things to
help keep the peace. Make sure your coop is ready to handle the stress of the situation.
Be sure to have plenty of roost space and a few places for the meek to hide if they have
